19 Southern-Style Desserts Made With Pecans
If your idea of comfort is warm, toasty, and a little bit nutty, you are in the right kitchen. These Southern-style pecan desserts deliver golden edges, gooey middles, and plenty of sweet nostalgia.
You will find pies, cakes, candies, and chilled treats that make any gathering feel like Sunday supper. Grab your mixer and a bag of pecans, because every bite here is worth turning on the oven.
1. Classic Pecan Pie
This is the pecan pie that makes the whole house smell like home. The filling bakes into a glossy, caramel-colored custard that hugs toasty pecans and settles under a shattering, buttery crust.
You cut a slice and it sighs, sweet and sticky in the best way.
Serve it slightly warm so the sugars feel silky and the nuts stay crisp. A scoop of vanilla melts into rivers along the edges.
You can garnish with sea salt, but it hardly needs it. One bite and you remember why the icon is still the icon.
2. Chocolate Pecan Pie
Everything loved about pecan pie, now with a velvety chocolate undercurrent. The cocoa richness deepens the caramel notes, turning each bite into a fudge-meets-praline moment.
It is indulgent without being heavy, thanks to that crunchy crown of toasted nuts.
Bake until the center barely jiggles, then let it settle for neat slices. A dollop of whipped cream adds lift and lightness.
You will taste a little brownie vibe, a little candy-bar memory, and a lot of Southern charm. It is the pie that disappears first at parties.
3. Bourbon Pecan Pie
A splash of bourbon brings warmth, vanilla, and a hint of oak to classic pecan pie. It does not taste boozy so much as deeper, with caramel edges that linger.
The aroma alone tells you something grown-up and good is happening in the oven.
Use a good-quality bourbon you would sip, because you will taste it. Serve with lightly sweetened cream to balance the richness.
The crust should be crisp, the pecans toasted, the center glossy but set. This one turns simple pie into a special-occasion ritual.
4. Pecan Pie Bars
All the flavor of pecan pie, none of the slicing stress. These bars stack a buttery shortbread base under a gooey, nut-laced filling that bakes up shiny and sturdy.
The corners caramelize into chewy edges that everyone fights over.
They travel well and cut clean, perfect for potlucks, bake sales, and lunchbox treats. Chill slightly for the neatest squares, or serve warm with ice cream for a casual dessert plate.
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky salt if you like contrast. Expect requests for the recipe, plus a few strategic seconds.
5. Butter Pecan Ice Cream
This ice cream tastes like a front-porch evening in summer. Browned butter adds toasted, butterscotch depth, while pecans bring crunch and warmth.
The custard base churns into a silky scoop that holds its shape, then melts like satin.
Toast the nuts in butter and salt before folding them in for maximum flavor. Serve alongside warm pie or cobbler so it softens into sweet rivers.
It is classic on its own, too, especially in a cone. One scoop turns ordinary dessert into something you will linger over.
6. Pecan Pralines
Pecan pralines are pure Southern candy-shop nostalgia. Sugar, butter, and cream cook to a soft-ball stage, then seize into a satiny, fudge-like finish around toasted nuts.
Each piece is rich, so one or two hits the spot perfectly.
Work quickly, because the mixture sets fast once off the heat. A little vanilla and salt sharpen the flavor.
The best ones have a slight sheen and a delicate snap that yields to creamy sweetness. Wrap a few for gifts, or keep a stash for afternoon coffee breaks and sweet cravings.
7. Praline Cheesecake
This cheesecake marries silky creaminess with praline crunch. A sturdy graham crust supports a smooth, vanilla-forward filling, then a brown sugar pecan topping settles into glossy ripples.
Every forkful hits sweet, salty, creamy, and crisp all at once.
Bake the cheesecake low and slow for minimal cracks, and chill overnight for clean slices. Toasted nuts keep the topping from tasting too sweet.
A drizzle of extra caramel never hurts. Bring this to a celebration and watch people hover politely, waiting for their turn to claim a generous slice.
8. Southern Pecan Pound Cake
Dense, buttery, and proud of it, this pound cake holds pecans like jewels in a tender crumb. The outside forms a delicate crust that snaps before giving way to vanilla-scented richness.
It looks simple, tastes expensive, and slices like a dream.
A brown butter glaze adds toasty depth, or keep it plain for breakfast nibbling. Serve with berries, ice cream, or nothing at all.
It travels beautifully and keeps moist for days. Cut thick wedges and notice how the nuts perfume every bite with gentle, roasted warmth.
9. Butter Pecan Cake
Imagine pound cake energy, but softer and layered. This butter pecan cake bakes up tender, with finely chopped pecans adding richness without heaviness.
A swoop of buttery frosting seals the deal and makes each slice company-worthy.
Use toasted nuts and real vanilla for clean, round flavor. The crumb stays moist, so it holds well for birthdays and potlucks.
You can add a brown sugar syrup for extra plushness. Cut generous slices and let the frosting edge squish a little on the plate.
That is part of the charm.
10. Hummingbird Cake With Toasted Pecans
This Southern favorite is banana, pineapple, and warm spices living happily together. Toasted pecans thread through the plush crumb, adding contrast to the tangy cream cheese frosting.
It is sweet, moist, and almost impossible to eat politely.
Bake as layers or a tall sheet cake for easier serving. The flavors bloom overnight, so it is great made ahead.
A final snow of chopped nuts on top signals what is inside. Bring it to a gathering and expect curious forks to land before the first official slice.
11. Pecan Sandies
These old-school cookies are buttery and tender, breaking into sandy crumbs with every bite. Chopped pecans add toastiness and a little chew, making them perfect with coffee or tea.
They taste like a well-kept family recipe pulled from a tin.
Do not overbake; just a hint of golden at the edges keeps them delicate. A touch of salt sharpens the butter.
You can roll the dough in sugar for sparkle. Pack them into a jar and they will vanish quietly, one after another, like a pleasant habit.
12. Texas Sheet Cake With Pecans
Thin, ultra-moist, and finished with warm icing, Texas sheet cake feeds a crowd without fuss. Cocoa and coffee make the chocolate sing, while chopped pecans add crunch across the glossy top.
It slices into generous squares that hold together but stay tender.
Pour the frosting over the hot cake so it fuses into a soft, candy-like layer. Serve warm or room temp, both are lovely.
This is the dessert for last-minute gatherings and church suppers. Bring napkins and a big smile, because seconds are guaranteed.
13. Derby Pie-Style Chocolate Nut Pie
This Kentucky-inspired pie is gooey, chocolatey, and delightfully nutty. Pecan pieces float in a brown sugar custard dotted with melty chips, all tucked in a flaky crust.
The texture lands between cookie bar and fudge, which is exactly why it is beloved.
Serve slightly warm so the chocolate ribbons through each slice. Vanilla ice cream turns it into a sundae situation.
A pinch of salt brings the sweetness into focus. It feels party-ready, whether you are watching a race or just celebrating Friday.
14. Sweet Potato Pie With Pecan Topping
Sweet potato pie already brings cozy spice and silky texture. Add a pecan topping and suddenly there is crackle and caramel to match the creaminess.
It tastes like two smart desserts agreed to share a plate.
Bake the filling until just set, then crown with a buttery pecan crumble. A little maple in the topping is a nice touch.
Serve cool or barely warm with whipped cream. Each forkful moves from velvety to crunchy, and you will nod like, yes, this was the right call.
15. Pecan Sticky Buns
These buns are for mornings that deserve celebration. Fluffy spirals bake under a lake of caramel and pecans, then flip to reveal a glossy crown.
They are sticky, buttery, and absolutely worth the effort.
Proof the dough until pillowy, and do not rush the rise. Toasted nuts keep the sweetness in check.
Serve warm so the caramel drips and the centers pull apart in tender layers. Bring napkins, coffee, and good company.
This is brunch dessert at its best.
16. Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
Same cozy swirl you love, now with toasty pecans for crunch and flavor. The filling melts into buttery cinnamon ribbons while the nuts keep every bite interesting.
A swoosh of cream cheese glaze softens the sweetness just right.
Use strong cinnamon and real vanilla in the icing. Chop the pecans small so they nestle into the spirals.
Bake until lightly golden and soft. Pull a warm roll, feel the steam, and let the glaze drip down your fingers.
That is the moment you were waiting for.
17. Bread Pudding With Bourbon Pecan Sauce
Bread pudding is pure comfort, but the sauce makes it unforgettable. A warm bourbon pecan sauce pools over custardy bread, sending caramel and vanilla aromas into the room.
The nuts add texture that plays against soft, custard-soaked crumbs.
Use day-old bread so it drinks in the custard without getting mushy. Whisk the sauce until glossy and pour right before serving.
A touch of salt sharpens the sweetness. This dessert feels like something you would happily order in a Southern restaurant, then try to recreate at home.
18. Pecan Tassies
Think of pecan tassies as bite-size pecan pies with charming manners. A tender cream cheese crust holds a glossy, nutty filling that sets just firm enough.
They are cute, perfectly portioned, and welcome on every cookie tray.
Make a double batch because they vanish. The crust is forgiving and the filling stirs together easily.
A little vanilla and a hint of brown sugar go a long way. Pack them into tins for gifting, or keep a secret stash for late-night dessert raids.
19. Banana Pecan Pudding
Take classic banana pudding and add toasted pecans for welcome crunch. Between the creamy custard, soft wafers, and ripe bananas, the nuts brighten everything and keep it from feeling one-note.
It is familiar, but somehow more grown-up.
Layer in a glass dish so the textures show. Toast the pecans lightly with salt to sharpen the sweetness.
Chill long enough for the wafers to soften into cake-like layers. Spoonful by spoonful, you get silky, crunchy, banana-rich comfort that feels just right after supper.
